How much is an electric motorbike?

Motorbikes have long been considered a cost-effective way of getting around. As environmentally-friendly transport options such as electric motorbikes become more popular, more people wonder how much an electric motorbike would cost them.

The upfront cost of an electric motorbike depends on its brand, power, and whether it has any special features. Whether it’s new or used will affect the price, too. There are also running costs, such as motorcycle insurance, maintenance, and battery charging costs. And if this is your first time riding an electric motorbike, you’ll have to consider your licence and training costs, along with the initial expense of buying the right safety gear.

In this article, we’ll discuss the average price of electric motorbikes based on power, what affects this price, and the other operating costs to consider. We’ll even discuss the available incentives or grants in the UK that can help lower your initial costs.

Electric motorbikes can vary wildly in price, ranging from a few hundred pounds for used ones to tens of thousands for brand-new, high-end bikes. How much you pay will depend on whether you want it new or second-hand and if you have a valid licence for it.

Here’s a quick price guide based on the motorbike’s maximum power output.

New mopeds or motorbikes up to 50cc can cost anywhere from £1,000 to £3,500. On the lower end of the price range, you’ll find mostly scooters (for example, the ones from Lexmoto), while the more expensive ones are low-powered bikes from makers like Vmoto or Super Soco (others are available). You may also find scooters on the higher end of the price scale, which are usually built by well-known makers such as Yamaha.

Meanwhile, the lower price of used mopeds will easily save you a few hundred pounds, depending on the maker and how many miles it has. You’ll often see them around the £800-£1,500 range.

Note: When shopping for a new electric moped online, be sure you’re not looking at kids’ electric bikes or minibikes. They usually appear as the cheapest option for electric motorbikes up to 50cc, often priced between £500-£800 brand new.

Brand new light motorbikes up to 125cc can cost as much as £16,000, although you’ll find that the average price is somewhere between £4,000 to £7,000. Brands such as Vmoto, Zero, and Kawasaki are mostly in this category. You’ll also find electric motorbikes suitable for off-road riding in this category.

Used light motorbikes usually cost around £3,000 to £6,000, depending on their condition and history. You’ll also find many used off-road light motorbikes on the market, with an average price of around £3,500.

Bikes that require an A2 motorbike licence can go higher than £20,000, especially from well-known brands such as Harley-Davidson, BMW, and Zero.

Some dealers may sell electric motorbikes as A2 even though the bike’s continuous power output exceeds 35kw. This is possible by restricting the motorbike’s power output, and you can do this yourself with a restrictor kit or have the dealership handle it for you.

Restricted motorbikes may be a good option for you if you’re on your way to upgrading your A2 licence, as it eliminates having to buy another bike once you get your full licence.

Full-power electric motorbikes can cost up to £30,000, depending on the brand, power, and features. However, you’ll find that many unrestricted motorbikes are around the £15,000-£20,000 range, or less if you buy a pre-owned one. You’d have to seek a specialised dealer to buy an electric motorbike at the highest price.

When shopping for motorbikes in this category, your budget will be determined by:

• Your intended use
• Any brand preferences
• Any additional features, such as intercom capabilities
• Your preferred motorbike specifications, such as maximum torque, seat height, storage options

If you previously purchased a bike that had to be restricted due to your A2 licence, you must present proof of your Category A Motorbike licence to the dealer or manufacturer so you can get the restriction removed.

A few factors affect the price of an electric motorbike:

• Condition: Is it new or pre-owned? Even though brand-new bikes cost more, how much you save on pre-owned bikes will depend on their condition. Lightly-used motorbikes with little to no blemishes will command a higher price than a bike with a few thousand miles on it already and a few scratches.
• Manufacturer: Electric bikes made by well-known brands such as Harley-Davidson or BMW typically cost more than others. The price reflects the company’s prestige and reputation, and the vehicle may be made with premium materials to justify the price.
• Engine size: Motorbikes with less powerful engines will almost always cost less than bigger engine, high performance bikes. Not only is the bike physically smaller, but the battery and engine also don’t produce as much power—hence the lower price.
• Optional features: Most motorbikes you buy will have everything you need to get you going on the road. But if you want optional add-ons like spoke wheels, heated grips, or navigational aids, you’ll have to pay for those on top of the bike’s price.

The price of the motorbike isn’t the only thing you have to consider. There are additional costs to remember, some of which are dependent on your riding experience:

• Licence and training costs: If you don’t already have a motorcycle licence, you’ll need to start the process of acquiring one. The costs can include any of the following:
• • Your provisional driving licence (if you don’t have one yet): £34 when applying online, £43 by post
• • Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course: About £150, depending on the training school
• • Riding lessons: About £1,000 for advanced lessons per licence type
• • Theory test: £23 per licence type
• • Off-road riding test: £15.50 per licence type
• • On-road riding test: £75 on weekdays; £88.50 on evenings, weekends, or bank holidays, per licence type

• Vehicle tax: From 1st of April 2025, electric motorbike owners have to pay vehicle tax. Gov.uk has a list of tax rates for motorcycles, based on engine size.

• Insurance costs: Like any other road-legal vehicle, you must insure your electric motorbike. Your premium costs will depend on your vehicle type, engine size, desired coverage (third-party only, third-party fire and theft, comprehensive), and any add-ons. Get a quote online or over the phone from The Bike Insurer for the latest rates.

• Battery charging costs: Your main fuel expense is the battery charging cost. You can charge most electric motorbike batteries at home with a standard UK 3-point plug. Scooters and mopeds with a range of about 40 miles can be fully charged for as little as 41p, while larger motorbikes with a range of 120 miles can be fully charged for around £4.

• Motorcycle gear/clothing costs: Riding safely means wearing the proper gear. These can include some or all of the following:

• • Helmet: Depending on the type of helmet you need (open-face, flip-up, adventure, or full-face), expect to pay anywhere between £50 to £1,000. If you want to change parts of your helmet, such as the visor, add another £30 for each modification you want to add.
• • Jacket: Motorcycling jackets can be as low as £50 for a basic, waterproof one and can be as high as £1,500 for ones with Gore-Tex waterproofing, thermal layer, abrasion-resistant elbow and shoulder protection and a back protector.
• • Gloves: There’s a wide variety of gloves available, ranging from basic textile gloves (about £15) to sport leather gloves (about £250).
• • Boots: If you want to wear boots designed for motorbikes, expect to spend around £250 for casual boots or about £700 for racing boots.
• • Trousers: Basic waterproof trousers are inexpensive, costing around £15 for one. If you want something with more protection, you can get away with trousers that have level 1 knee and hip protectors; they’re usually around £150-£200. For more involved activities, expect to spend up to £1,200 on trousers that offer the highest level of protection.

• MOT and servicing costs: Motorbikes 3 years or older must undergo a yearly MOT inspection to stay road-legal. The MOT itself will cost you £29.65 yearly. If you need other maintenance or repair services for your bike, expect to pay anywhere between £150-£200 for a full service.
• Motorcycle security costs: It’s always a good idea to protect your motorbike from theft, so investing in security equipment is essential. About £100 should get you a good set of ground anchors, disc locks, and chain locks. Another £100-£150 will get you a good GPS tracker for your bike.
• Replaceable parts: Motorbikes have several parts that wear out over time, so you’ll have to set aside some funds for replacement parts. Replaceable parts include tyres, brake pads, and light bulbs.
• Finance costs: With some electric motorcycles costing tens of thousands, it’s likely you’ll need a lender to help finance your purchase if you don’t have all the funds available . Being able to break down the cost into manageable monthly payments is handy, but make sure you take interest charges into consideration.

Currently, electric motorbike owners can take advantage of two government grants: the Plug-in Motorcycle Grant (PiMG) and the Electric Vehicle (EV) Chargepoint Grant.

NOTE: Make sure to check the Plug-in Motorcycle Grant eligibility page for up-to-date information and to see if the Government is still continuing the scheme. At the time of writing, the grant is expected to continue until April 2025.

PiMG applies to motorcycles that meet the following criteria:

• Retail price of under £10,000, including VAT and delivery fees
• Have no CO2 emissions
• Have a range of 31 miles (50 kilometres) on a single battery charge
• Be one of the eligible vehicles approved by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV). You can find the list of eligible vehicles from Gov.UK.

If your motorbike is eligible for the grant, you (the owner) won’t be required to send any paperwork. Instead, you should see the grant as a discount from the bike’s purchase price.

The EV Chargepoint Grant helps with the cost of installing a chargepoint socket at your residence. To be eligible, you must live in your own flat or rent a property. You can find the complete list of eligibility requirements on the EV Chargepoint Grant Household Eligibility page.

If your home qualifies for the grant, make sure your electric bike is one of the few OZEV-approved bikes. Be sure to check the OZEV-eligible vehicle list regularly to see if your motorbike gets added.

How much you’ll spend on an electric motorbike will depend on the engine size, manufacturer, condition, and any optional add-ons. Smaller-engined bikes usually cost less than larger ones, and brand-new bikes are always more expensive than pre-owned ones.

However, you may find that some bikes made by certain manufacturers always cost significantly more than others of the same size.

Aside from the bike’s purchase price, you also need to consider the following additional costs:

• Licence and training costs, if necessary
• Insurance premiums, including any anti-theft equipment
• Vehicle tax
• Servicing costs, including MOT for bikes 3 years or older
• Motorcycle equipment
• Battery charging costs
• Finance costs

Although the battery charging cost will depend on your bike’s battery size, the rest of the costs depend on your experience and what you already have. Thankfully, The Bike Insurer will eliminate the guesswork and help you discover how much your electric motorbike insurance will cost. Get your quote online or over the phone today.